Enacting the reduce armed violence act to increase the criminal penalties for certain violations of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon that involve firearms.
Impact
The proposed changes in HB2031 aim to augment existing laws by instituting presumptive imprisonment for convicted felons found with firearms, especially during the commission of violent felonies. The bill amends the Kansas Statutes to classify violations under this act more severely, reflecting a commitment to tougher measures against armed violence. By increasing the maximum penalties for these offenders, the bill intends to deter potential gun crimes and ultimately reduce armed violence across the state.
Summary
House Bill 2031, referred to as the Reduce Armed Violence Act, seeks to enhance criminal penalties associated with the possession of firearms by convicted felons. This legislation specifically targets individuals previously convicted of felonies who are found to be in possession of firearms, imposing stricter sentencing guidelines and increasing the severity of penalties for such violations. The primary motive behind the bill is to address concerns over gun violence and enhance public safety by ensuring that those with a violent criminal history face more significant consequences when attempting to possess firearms.
Contention
While supporters of HB2031 argue that the bill addresses critical public safety issues by preventing criminals from accessing firearms, opponents may contend that the legislation could lead to excessive punishments for non-violent crimes. Concerns are voiced regarding the potential for disproportionate penalties that do not differentiate between offenders based on the nature of their previous convictions. There may also be discussions on whether existing measures for managing repeat offenders are sufficient without further exacerbating the prison population crisis.
Enacting the reduce armed violence act to increase the criminal penalties for certain violations of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon that involve firearms.
Senate Substitute for HB 2010 by Committee on Judiciary - Updating a statutory cross reference to provide proper jury instruction in cases when a defendant lacks the required mental state to commit a crime; increasing the penalty for certain violations of criminal discharge of a firearm when a person was present in the dwelling, building, structure or motor vehicle at which the offender discharged a firearm; enacting the reduce armed violence act to increase the criminal penalties for certain violations of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon that involve firearms; providing that the service of postrelease supervision period shall not toll except as otherwise provided by law; and allowing certain nondrug offenders to participate in a certified drug abuse treatment program.
Adding possession or using a firearm during the commission of certain drug crimes to the crime of criminal use of weapons and creating a special sentencing rule of presumptive imprisonment for violations thereof.
Increasing the penalty for certain violations of criminal discharge of a firearm when a person was present in the dwelling, building, structure or motor vehicle at which the offender discharged a firearm.
Requiring that a criminal sentence be presumptive imprisonment if a person felony was committed against a person based on that person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation.
Clarifying a special sentencing rule applicable to violations of criminal discharge of a firearm when a person was present in the dwelling, building, structure or motor vehicle at which the offender discharged a firearm.
Creating the crime of reproductive coercion that includes coercion to obtain an abortion or to gain control over the reproductive autonomy of another person by force; providing penalties.
Increasing the criminal penalties for harming or killing certain dogs and horses and requiring restitution for such offense to include certain expenses.
Requiring that a criminal sentence be presumptive imprisonment if a person felony was committed against a person based on that person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation.
Clarifying a special sentencing rule applicable to violations of criminal discharge of a firearm when a person was present in the dwelling, building, structure or motor vehicle at which the offender discharged a firearm.
Enacting the reduce armed violence act to increase the criminal penalties for certain violations of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon that involve firearms.
Creating a special sentencing rule to add 100 months to a sentence for distribution of a controlled substance when the substance involved is fentanyl and the distribution causes the death of a child.
Senate Substitute for HB 2436 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Creating the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion and providing enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed with the intent to coerce a woman to obtain an abortion.
Increasing the penalty for certain violations of criminal discharge of a firearm when a person was present in the dwelling, building, structure or motor vehicle at which the offender discharged a firearm.
Creating the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion and providing enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed with the intent to coerce a woman to obtain an abortion.
Creating the crime of reproductive coercion that includes coercion to obtain an abortion or to gain control over the reproductive autonomy of another person by force; providing penalties.